Read Full story of Horratio Spafford composer of a Lyrics IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL

Read Full story of Horratio Spafford composer of a Lyrics IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL

Full story of Horratio Spafford

Horatio Spafford (1828-1888) was a wealthy Chicago lawyer with a thriving legal practice,

a beautiful home, a wife, four daughters and a son. He was also a devout Christian and 

faithful student of the Scriptures. His circle of friends included Dwight L. Moody, Ira Sankey

 and various other well-known Christians of the day.

At the very height of his financial and professional success, Horatio and his wife Anna 

suffered the tragic loss of their young son. Shortly thereafter on October 8, 1871, the

Great Chicago Fire destroyed almost every real estate investment that Spafford had.

In 1873, Spafford scheduled a boat trip to Europe in order to give his wife and daughters 

a much needed vacation and time to recover from the tragedy. He also went to join Moody 

and Sankey on an evangelistic campaign in England. Spafford sent his wife and daughters 

ahead of him while he remained in Chicago to take care of some unexpected last minute 

business. Several days later he received notice that his family's ship had encountered a 

collision. All four of his daughters drowned; only his wife had survived.

With a heavy heart, Spafford boarded a boat that would take him to his grieving Anna in 

England. It was on this trip that he penned those now famous words, When sorrow like 

sea billows roll; it is well, it is well with my soul..

Philip Bliss (1838-1876), composer of many songs including Hold the Fort, Let the Lower 

Lights be Burning, and Jesus Loves Even Me, was so impressed with Spafford's life and 

the words of his hymn that he composed a beautiful piece of music to accompany the lyrics. 

The song was published by Bliss and Sankey, in 1876.

For more than a century, the tragic story of one man has given hope to countless thousands 

who have lifted their voices to sing, It Is Well With My Soul.


This visual, Be Not Anxious Church PowerPoint, provides an ideal enhancement to the 

words of the song.

It Is Well With My Soul


When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

Refrain:
It is well (it is well),
with my soul (with my soul),
It is well, it is well with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

Refrain

My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to His cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

Refrain

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

Refrain

And Lord haste the day, when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

Refrain

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let 

your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all 

understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)